1. Intro to the Metric System and Scientific Method
Medgar Evers College
Lab #1
Dr. Santos

2. Units of measurement
Scientists around the world use the metric system or International System of units to accurately measure volume, length, temperature, and mass.

3. Basic reference units Mass = gram Temperature = degree Celsius
Volume = liter
Length= meter
*A prefix before the unit can modify the value of the unit!

4. Prefixes to know! Kilo M one thousand 103 Deci d one tenth 10-1
Centi c one hundredth 10-2
Milli m one thousandth 10-3
Micro µ one millionth 10-6

5. Converting Know the following 1 kilogram = 1000 grams
1 gram = 1000 milligrams
1 gram = 100 centigrams
1 centigram = 10 milligrams
1 milligram = 1000 micrograms

7. Using the factor label method
Convert 2 kilograms to grams
Convert 35 grams to kilograms
Convert 2500 micrograms to milligrams

8. 2kg x 1000g/1kg = 2,000 g

9. AIM
Exercise 1; determine the length, mass, volume, and temperature of various objects!
Length- ruler
Mass- balance
Volume- graduated cylinder (water displacement method)
Temperature- thermometer

10. temperature
K= X

11. The Scientific method
Process of Inquiry used by scientists and students to find the answer to questions or scientific problems!
Steps!
1- observation
2- state a questions based on observations
3- state a hypothesis
4- state a prediction using “If …. Then….” format.
5- conduct an experiment
6- analyze results
7- draw a conclusion
8- repeat the experiment

12. Hypothesis- prediction regarding the outcome of the experiment
Hypothesis- prediction regarding the outcome of the experiment. The hypothesis should always be in a declarative form not a question!

13. experimentation
3 variables
Independent
Dependent
Controlled

14. Sample size
A sample size should be as large as possible to avoid a bias outcome and so that the results are statistically valid.

15. Result organization
Results/data should be organized in tables, charts or histograms.